Best friends. . .

During my growing up days, my best friend, Pam, and I loved to go shopping on a Saturday afternoon in our small town of Carlsbad, New Mexico. Our first stop was always Woolworths five and ten cent store. Upon our arrival, we headed directly to the jewelry counter. Pam always bought a beautiful "diamond" ring and I a "pearl" ring. These, of course, were our engagement rings (I am pretty sure our boyfriends at elementary school did not know they were "engaged"!) After our ring purchase, we would then peruse the Barbie dolls and all of their lovely adornments. Sometimes, if we had enough money, we would buy paperdolls. These paperdolls gave us endless hours of enjoyment. Last stop for the afternoon was the Corner Drug Store. This was an old-fashioned drug store with a soda fountain. We always ordered a hamburger with chips and a Coke. What a wonderful time we had and how grown up we felt on those magical Saturday afternoons. Even though Pam and I live many miles apart now, I feel like we could start our conversation right where the last one ended. She was and still is a true friend, a friend of the heart and soul. I hope you have enjoyed many friendships throughout your lifetime, dear friends. I count each and everyone as a kind friend who I value very much. Enjoy your lovely autumn weekend as you think on times past! Love and blessings always.

Rosy thoughts for a rosy tea party. . .

Childhood is the most beautiful of all life's seasons. . .

One may live without bread, not without roses. . .

You can complain because roses have thorns, or. . .

you can rejoice because thorns have roses! I choose to rejoice!!

God gave us memory so that we might have roses in December. . .

I'd rather have roses on my table. . .

than diamonds on my neck.

This is the lovely Peggy Martin rose growing in my backyard garden. This beautiful rose is a true survivor having withstood hurricane Katrina. . .We, too, can withstand the storms of life when we have our faith rooted deeply in Him.

Dear friends, thank you so much for coming by for a visit today. I am enjoying my garden during this cooler weather along with my favorite pieces of rose covered china. I hope this note finds you doing well, dear ones. I am participating in "Tea Time" on Tuesdays. Please visit our very kind hostesses and all those who are participating by going here: Sandi @ http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com Martha @ http://marthasfavorites.com/ and Terri @ http://artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com

Autumn Tea Party, and I was "Daisy Mae"!!!

Hello, dear friends, we are having some gloriously cool weather here in Central Texas...

So, I thought it would be fun to have an autumn tea to welcome in the season...Mr. Scarecrow definitely wants to be invited!!

I have one of my very favorite tea cups for you to share some autumn tea from...

My little bunny is out in Farmer McGregor's fall garden so he had to be invited, too...

Along with this sweet and magical and very friendly little witch...

I have one of my comfy chairs waiting for your visit, along with a plate of ghosty cookies...

I know you are thinking what does Daisy Mae have to do with our celebration? Well, she is part of my childhood memories. You see, one year my momma helped me dress as Daisy Mae for Halloween. Yes, I had the cut off jean shorts (not nearly as short as Daisy Mae's, my momma would not have allowed that!!!) and a cute peasant shirt that my mother had sewn for me. It had elastic in the neck so I could wear it off my shoulders like Daisy. I must say, I did not "fill out" my costume nearly as well as Daisy fills hers out, but as a ten or eleven year old girl, I did think I looked pretty cute!! Now there was a rule among girls my age that you could trick or treat until you were in sixth grade. After that, it was considered a little too babyish to trick or treat in junior high. Well, if you know me, you know how I love autumn and Halloween and all of the festivities. When I was in sixth grade, I made the most out of that Halloween, sadly knowing it would be my last time to go out trick or treating. Yes, I was a sad girl the next autumn in 7th grade when I didn't dress up and go out to get treats. However, now that I have grandchildren, it is perfectly normal for grandma to go out with her grandchildren and trick or treat to her heart's desire. Who says there aren't advantages to getting older?

I am participating in this week's tea parties. Please visit these ladies, our faithful hostesses, and all of those who are participating this week: Sandi @ http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com/ Martha @ http://marthasfavorites.com/ and Terri @ http://artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com/ I am posting a little early so visit these ladies late Monday evening or early Tuesday morning to see their tea things and all those who participate. Please enjoy your autumn week ahead, sweet and kind friends!!